Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort

For years, Disney had been considering plans to create the Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida, and last year the plans finally came to fruition. The Art of Animation Resort will join Walt Disney World’s All Star Resorts and Pop Century Resort as another value-priced hotel. The resort will include 864 traditional rooms, as well as 1,120 family suites that will accommodate up to 6 people.

One interesting feature of the Art of Animation Resort will be its layout. Designed in sections, the resort will focus on four of Disney’s most popular animated films of recent years, including Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Cars. The resort will incorporate massive icons from the movies, with a bright color scheme and decor that reflects the films.

The 864 traditional hotel rooms will be themed around The Little Mermaid, with an eye toward value pricing and plenty of sea-inspired decor, while the family suites will bring to life The Lion King, Cars, andFinding Nemo. Disney has been working with artists from the Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios on even the most trivial design details, including which scenes should be depicted at the swimming pools or which building elevations should be used. One of the main design elements will be a 35-foot-tall King Triton statue, which will reside over The Little Mermaid wing.

The family suites will include two separate bathrooms, a master bedroom, and three separate sleeping areas within the living space, including an “Inovabed” that transforms from a table or workspace into a comfortable bed in a matter of seconds.

There will also be four different courtyards to explore, each themed after the films being used as inspiration for the resort. Gigantic sculptures and icons will figure prominently in the courtyards, immersing guests in the experience of their favorite animated classics. Guest will also have access to three pools – the main pool area, complete with its own bar, or two other pools, which are expected to be quieter options for guests who prefer relaxation.

Additional amenities that are planned for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort include an animation-themed food court, airline check-in stations, an arcade, and a retail location for guests to take home a souvenir from their trip. Disney has also designated the resort as smoke-free, except in designated outdoor smoking areas.

The resort is scheduled to open in sections and is expected to be completed by Summer 2012. The resort will be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort. In fact, the Art of Animation Resort will use two existing buildings that were originally planned for a Pop Century expansion; but were never completed due to a downturn in the market earlier in the decade.